Mystics President Sheila Johnson Criticizes TIME’s Decision to Name Caitlin Clark ‘Athlete of the Year’
Washington, D.C. – Caitlin Clark, the electrifying rookie who took the WNBA by storm, has been named TIME Magazine’s “Athlete of the Year,” marking a historic first for a WNBA player. However, the accolade has sparked a debate about race and recognition within the league.
Sheila Johnson, president of the Washington Mystics, expressed her concerns regarding Clark receiving sole credit for the WNBA’s rise in popularity. “We have so much talent out there that has been unrecognized, and I don’t think we can just pin it on one player,” Johnson stated.
Johnson highlighted the media’s portrayal of race in sports, noting that non-white players of equal caliber have not received similar acclaim. “It’s just the structure of the way media plays out race,” Johnson remarked. “I feel very bad because I’ve seen so many players of color that are equally as talented, and they never got the recognition they should have.”
She suggested that TIME could have honored the entire WNBA, acknowledging the collective talent that has contributed to the league’s success. “Why couldn’t they have put the whole WNBA on the cover and said, ‘The WNBA is the League of the Year,’ because of all the talent that we have?” she questioned.
Johnson’s comments have ignited conversations about the representation of Black athletes in media coverage and the necessity for increased inclusivity.
In her interview with TIME, Clark acknowledged the issue of race and advocated for the enhanced promotion of Black players. “I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege,” Clark admitted. “A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them.”
Clark stressed the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Black women to the WNBA’s success. “The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league amazing, I think it’s very crucial,” she noted. “I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
The controversy surrounding Clark’s acknowledgment underscores the critical need for greater diversity and inclusivity in sports media coverage. Furthermore, it shines a light on the ongoing struggle for racial equity within the WNBA and the broader sports landscape.
